More than doubling ETCH goal, Rotary adds Adopt a Family
“Our goal was 150 toys — but we got over 300,” said Scott Bertini, ETCH Christmas Toy Drive co-chair, who along with RCF Service Team chairwoman Sonya Ford spearheaded the club’s inaugural drive. By the time the toys were delivered last week, Bertini said the toy count was 355.
He reported on the drive during the club’s regular Zoom meeting Wednesday, Dec. 9.
“In addition, the Rotary Club donated all of the fabric to the Interact Club at Hardin Valley Academy, where students have been busy sewing holiday bags that the toys will be distributed in,” he added.
Cheryl Allmon, Volunteer Services director for ETCH, was guest speaker for the Dec. 9 meeting. She expounded on Bertini’s report, saying each patient will receive a gift bag made by HVA, which she described as “large Christmas-themed pillow cases.
“Each bag is loaded with toys that have been donated, and during the night on Christmas Eve that bag is left at the foot of the patient’s bed so they know Santa found them, even though they are in the hospital,” she added.
In a separate interview, Allmon said, “Having the Rotary Club do a toy drive will have a huge impact on families who likely will not be able to provide Christmas gifts for their children. Just this morning (Friday, Dec. 11), the mother of a child in Intensive Care was exhausted and emotional when a small tree was brought into their room.
“She cried and said at least they would have a tree this year, but she had no idea how they would be able to have presents,” she added. “That mother won’t have to worry because donations like those provided by Farragut Rotary will make sure there are gifts under that small tree so she can focus on caring for her child.”
Adopt a Family
RCF’s toy goal was set because the hospital has 152 beds, but Allmon explained the additional toys and funds would be used for off-site outpatients and through its Adopt a Family program.
RCF members Dan Barnett and Louise Frazier were among others who contributed $1,450 to that program.
“That fund is one that is really near and dear to my heart; that fund was originally set up to take care of Christmas, but there’s a need for things all year long that you don’t budget for at a non-profit children’s hospital,” she added.
